Handheld uhf and antenna

[gottheshits]

With brake controllers and other sh@t taking up room was thinking of getting a good handheld uhf.

Can you hook up a hand held to a normal uhf antenna for more range. If so do they work as good. If not back to the drawing board.

[Ray!]

I have an Icom IC-40S that I originally bought for much the same reason and later wanted to attach an external antenna, but couldn't find a suitable adapter in those days. I just had a look at one supplier's site and you can get a magnetic base that fits all standard handhelds with removeable antenna. The latest Icom IC-41W is probably the best handheld you can get and you can get attachments such as a battery eliminator to run directly off the vehicle cigarette plug. PM me if you want the suppliers details.

Cheers

Ray

[gottheshits]

PM sent thanks Ray

[mikegq]

Yes u can but ull find it takes up just as much room and is awkward to use. Get a remote head UHF or the icon that has all controls in the mic and the unit goes under the dash

[gottheshits]

Yes u can but ull find it takes up just as much room and is awkward to use. Get a remote head UHF or the icon that has all controls in the mic and the unit goes under the dash

Cheers mate, im going to have a look on the weekend.

Everything was fine till I put a d/din head unit back in.

[Ray!]

I have a GME UHF that has a separate head unit and the control unit fits neatly under the console, with the power unit on the passenger side kick panel. It is a much more elegant solution than a handheld. Here's a photo of the unit attached to the bottom of the console (the mic normally hangs off the clip on the right of the head unit):

Cheers

Ray

[gottheshits]

Thanks Ray, i looked at that option but ive got my locker switches down there. Might just go the button on handpiece job.

On a side note what model brake controller is that.

Cheers Mark.

[Ray!]

It's a Tekonsha Prodigy, a few years old now. The UHF with all the controls in the handset is a very good option, it saves a lot of installation hassles.

Cheers

Ray

[mikegq]

Nice ly set up ray

[mikegq]

Yes u can but ull find it takes up just as much room and is awkward to use. Get a remote head UHF or the icon that has all controls in the mic and the unit goes under the dash

Icom ic440n

[mk tank]

Hooking a 5 watt hand held to an external antenna would be the equivlant to a vehicle mounted radio - dependant on the rf adaptor having no loss.

Most of the little hand helds output at the most 2 watts some even less.

Edited May 11, 2012 by mk tank

[gottheshits]

Icom ic440n

Are they are better unit than gme.

[mikegq]

Generally not bad gme and uniden are entry level products icom is sort of a mid teer product

[gottheshits]

Thanks mike Ive decided on either the Icom ic440n http://www.icom-australia.com/products/uhf/uhfcb_ic-440.html

or the gme TX3540 http://www.gme.net.au/products/radio-communications/uhf-477mhz-cb-radios/TX3540

What are the pros and cons with either of these. Ive been looking at all the specs but I dont know what half of it means.

Cheers Mark

[twisty]

just to make the choice easier I've got this one. very happy. 80 channels and 5watts with antenna.

[mikegq]

I have the same as u twisty

Nice basic lil unit

Gottheshits the specs r very similar, the gme has a smaller mic which is nice, the icom has a bulky mic

Other than that not a hole lot of diff

Liability wise the icom would take the prize

The lil gmes have a problem of doing p.a modules

Especially if there is an antenna fault somewhere along the line

[mikegq]

Also icom has speaker in the mic

Where as gme one is in the main module which may get muffled behind the dash

Although u can buy and fit an extension speaker if needed to both

[twisty]

I have the same as u twisty

Nice basic lil unit

and cheap. it works ... I talk, it talks back (most times)

[gottheshits]

Thanks mike and twisty.

I ve got a small gme now but can't fit it anywhere since other stuff has gone in, hence the remote head as suggested.

I will have another look tomorrow at the icom handpiece and go from there.

I've always had gme before but they have always been sold with the car before they have gotten too old. This one being unfitted as such will be staying with me for awhile even if the car goes. That's why I want something decent that will last.

Cheers Mark.

[twisty]

This one being unfitted as such will be staying with me for awhile even if the car goes. That's why I want something decent that will last.

Mark ... for less than $200 why would you bother keeping it. It's a throw away item. I get that space is at a premium and this mini (NOT single din size, half the size, it's tiny) uhf of mine could be fitted in the sunglasses recess in the overhaed console easily. I even considered putting it in the centre console under the lid. my 2 cents.